Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-23
DAILY HERALD.
A ervsterious Ring.

was in India when the terrible
news reached me that my father had
been found cruelty murdered in his
bed. Who had committed the crime
was not known, but | registered a sol
emn oath that night in my tent that
when arrived in England | would de-
vote my life to hunting the murderer
down. had parted from my father
in anger over some trifiing thing, and
/ bitterly regretted now that l had not
begged his forgiveness.
| arrived at Avondale Castle to find
myself disinherited and in favor of
my cousin Marian, beautiful Marian,
whom my father always wanted me
to marry, and the immediate cause of
many of my quarrels.
Marian, after my fathers death,
had moved away to London and mar
ried the Earl of Ardleigh, so | learned
from the old housekeeper, Mrs.
Brimmer.
As was going to bed on the evening
of my arrival Mrs. Brimmer ap-
preached me and said very mysteri-
ously:
''If you please, sir, | found this the
day after the dear masters death in a
closet off his room," and she handed
me ring of twisted gold wire. "ft
was close by the blood-stained ham,
mer," added the old lady as she went
out of the room, bidding me good
night.
looked at the ring and shuddered.
Where had l seen it before? My
mind went back to the days when |
had first returned from college. 1t
seemed l remembered face that
loved me 4; that / remembered a hand,
white and dimpled, that had worn
such ring. All at once the startling
truth burst upon me. 1t was Mari
an's
The very next evening found me ct
the Earl OF Ardleigh's mansion.
Ny dress was discordered, my face
pale and haggard, and the powdered
footman regarded me with grave dis
trust. | gave him no time for retiec-
ton, but ordered him peremptorily to
announce her ladyship's cousin from
India.
In few minutes her French maid,
with simper, bowed me into the
boudoir, and in this temple of luxury
1 awaited an interview. 1t was hung
with pink silk and panelled with mir
rors. The rarest statuary and gems OF
art met my eye, while the warm breath
of flowers from an adjoining conserva-
tory, and the splash of falling waters,
lulled my senses into momentary
repose.
started up spasmodically and stood
as one in delicious dream. for before
me, transcendently beautiful, stood
my cousin Marian.
I trembled as she touched my hand
and felt the glitter of her deep blue
eyes, dazzling in light, fixed upon
me.
NV voice sounded strange and hus y
as | murmured something in reply to
her greeting.
"Marianr' l screamed, as l seized
her round, white arm, "did you mur-
der my father?"
Her blue eyes dilated with kind
of paralyzed terror, her lips paled, and
she burst into strange and horrible
laugh.
''Have you returned to a maniac
Cousin Edward?" she said.
'.No, no.-would to God l had
Marian! But your maid, Honorine
has been arrested for passing notes
stolen the night my father died. She
has confessed she took them from YOU
cabinet"
The countess trembled.
'sAnd if she did,"
held up the twisted ring before hei
eyes.
"Where was this found, Marian .
/ said.
A deep gasp, a groan, and Marian
tainted for the first time in her life.
Unwilling to call the servants, re.
stored her senses by some pungenl
essences found in bottle near me
1T is true, Edward" she said
family; 81 did commit the deed.
hated you-more because l loved you
once. Leave me tonight; tomorrow
do what you will"
The roll of carriages announced the
arrival of guests and left.
After left that luxurious room and
thought of the change to Newgate
shuddered. Could she realize the
fearful fate before her?
She never lived to pay the penalty
of her crime. The next day all Lon
don was startled with the news that
the Countess of Ardleigh had beer
found dead in her boudoir. A bottle
of prussic acid told the story of hel
suicide.